One of BMW's most famous cars from the 1990s has returned

The angular luxury coupe came to symbolize BMW's styling during the decade.

After 20 years away, the 8 series is set to reappear in production guise sometime in 2018.

On Thursday, BMW gave us a sneak peek at the new 8 Series with the introduction of the 8 Series Concept ahead of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.

"The number 8 has always represented the pinnacle of sports performance and exclusivity at BMW," Chairman Harald Krüger said in a statement. "The forthcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe will demonstrate that razor-sharp dynamics and modern luxury can go hand in hand."

BMW

True to original form, the new 8 Series retains the original model's sleek, angular looks. Up front, BMW's signature kidney grille plays a prominent role along with a pair of slim headlights. The front fascia flows into a long, sloping hood before reaching the car's low-slung greenhouse.

"The design of the BMW Concept 8 Series provides a fresh interpretation of iconic BMW styling cues," BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk said in a statement. "And it also showcases a new approach to the use of forms, which is reflected particularly prominently in the car's surfacing. A handful of crisp lines mark out clear surfaces, and the car's volumes are powerfully sculpted."

BMW

At this point, the 8 Series Concept is a design study, which means there are virtually no technical details available on the vehicle. A production version of the next-generation 8 Series coupe is expected to debut sometime next year. The 8 Series is also primed to replace the current-generation 6 Series— around since 2012 — as the company's flagship coupe.